Enduring Principles  | |
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For Further Reflection and
Discussion
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Share the following scriptures among class members:
Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 5:1–2; Genesis 9:6; Psalm 8:5; Matthew 5:38–48;
Matthew 6:26; Matthew 22:37–40; Matthew 25:35–36; Mark 2:15–17; Luke
4:18–19; Luke 6:35–36; Luke 15; Romans 5:8; Galatians 3:27–28; Doctrine
and Covenants 151:9–10; Doctrine and Covenants 162:6a; Jacob 2:27. How
does each passage reflect some aspect of the worth of all persons?
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Do you agree that there are no exceptions to “the worth
of all persons”?
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Sometimes we try very hard to be good people. Does this
sometimes make us judgmental of others? Did Jesus come to serve the
righteous or sinners? What does this mean in terms of the worth of all
persons?
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Look at the abbreviated Universal Declaration of Human
Rights with this article. Which rights are familiar to you? Which are a
surprise? Do you disagree with any? Is there a right missing, for
example the right to refuse to kill another person?
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Look up your national Amnesty International Web site
through www.anmesty.org. Could your
congregation in letter campaigns, perhaps twice a year, write in support
of human-rights issues? Alternatively look up Canadian church member Rod
Downing’s well-researched monthly e-mail newsletter containing
information and Web-based actions in support of human rights and other
global concerns at
www.CofChrist.org/humanrights/hr-newsletter/. Consider inviting
members and friends to take action each month in Sunday school.
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What human-rights issues in your village, neighborhood,
or city are you perhaps called to address?
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Is poverty the worst human-rights abuse? It kills far
more than all wars. If you are in the USA, research how your
congregation can join Bread for the World and take timely, informed
action for the poor in the USA and the majority world (see
www.bread.org). The church has
sup-ported Bread for the World for nearly thirty years.
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What feelings arise and how do you respond when you
become involved in a conversation that is critical of a particular race?
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How would you uphold and restore the worth of a person
in your community?
—Andrew Bolton and Margaret Swartzendruber
Discernment Activity
Discernment is a way to draw closer to God by seeking answers to our concerns
and questions. Remember, it is God’s call, not mere decision-making that we
seek. This practice may be helpful as you speak and listen to the Holy Spirit.
- Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Sit with both feet
on the floor to ground you.
- Sit in silence for a few moments. Slow and deepen your breath as you
enter a time of prayer.
- As you breathe in, silently say, “thank you.” As you breathe out, say,
”God.” Repeat this prayer four or five times.
- Return to the silence and empty your mind of distracting thoughts. Then,
intentionally open to an awareness of God’s presence in and around you.
- Simply sit still and sense God’s love giving you each breath. Ask for
nothing. Let your mind focus on the gift of breath until you begin to feel
grateful for life itself.
- Now focus on someone who is of a different race, shabby looking, and
poorly dressed. Image this person standing on a street corner.
- As people pass by, he holds out a cup and asks for money to buy food for
himself and his two children.
- Take a few minutes to look carefully at this person. What do you see
with your eyes and feel within your heart?
- Is this person of great and inestimable worth?
- Sit quietly for a few moments and “be with” this person. What feelings
rise within you?
- Envision this person being of great worth in God’s sight. Take a few
moments to dwell on whatever feelings or thoughts arise within you.
- Close your meditation with an expression of appreciation.
— Margaret Swartzendruber
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